I went to Kroger today to get some Glade Scented Oil Candles Holders because they normally retail for $5.49 each and they were on special for 2 for $5. We also had a coupon for buy one get one free. So, 2 for $2.50 wouldn't be bad. But there's a funny thing about free coupons I've never noticed. They don't discount the sale price but the normal retail prices for free coupons. So I got two holders and got $0.53 cents back in change. Not bad for getting the wife something she likes. and best of all it was FREE!!!!!

I'm looking for a CueCat that someone is willing to give away. I'm going to modify it and use it as a barcode reader for Rick and Regina's Shop. I figure it'd be an easy way to scan in their inventory instead of doing it manually by hand.

I've started collecting Coke Points mainly for the coupons they offer, but also for some of the sweepstakes. Some of the cooking ones are nice. I wouldn't mind a brand new Mini Oven, HDtv or Blue Ray player. So here is a breakdown of what gives how many points. Yes, if i find discarded boxes or bottles on the road, i do stop and collect them.

2 litres: 3pts
12 packs : 10 pts
24 packs: 20 pts
20oz bottles, collect 8 and get one free.

I'm mainly collecting for the $1 off coupons off 12 packs, which means each point is like saving 4 cents.

Can you believe I bought this for about $5? Even if you can't I did. The Glade thingy I got for free, the Right guard sports sticks is got for $1 each, the toothpaste for $0.75, the Haircolor for under $2. The axe shampoo and headache medicine I got for free after mail in rebate.


Also I've signed up for coke rewards, so if you get 12-packs and don't use the codes yourself, and don't mind, please send me your codes. I figure I'll use them to get $1 off coupons for 12 packs since that seems to make the most sense of what they offer.

I hate my bank. I go there once a week for the same thing, with the same teller, at the same time. You'd think after a while, I wouldn't have to show two forms of ID. But no, I still have to jump through hoops to get what I want. Wells Fargo does suck in that regard. I've developed tendencies to go through the lines faster. I've found it is easier to just cash the check instead of depositing it because there is a lot less paperwork hassle. I also got into the habit of declining to give them my pin number on my debit card. I've noticed none of the tellers look at the date of the check, nor the endorsement anymore. I write my account number on the back, and that apparently doesn't matter anymore.

I love my wife's bank, but sadly Wells Fargo acquired them. I don't have any of the crappy "security measures" to deal with. The only downside, I've never had the same teller twice, EVER.

Which brings me to my point, Wells Fargo has a huge security Exploit on the Teller level. If someone ever stole your ID and Debit Card, All they really have to do is go up there and just say, "I never activated my debit card. " whether it is true or not, and they'll just go ahead and make changes, deposits, or withdrawals to your account without any real security verification. In short, don't use Wells Fargo, security sucks.`

This year because of the rough times we're having to stretch our budget more than in recent years. So one of the things we've decided to do is to start clipping coupons on items we would buy if they were a good deal. And while, we're still in the planning stages of the project, I'd say we are off to a reasonable start.

Every Sunday we buy the Dallas Paper with Double Coupons for $3. Elaine helps me cut out the coupons, and Melissa sorts them by aisle. We got some Coupon dividers at OfficeMax and I used some notecards to further divide the aisles into subsections. Our first trial excursion took 2 hours for us to complete, but since we divided the store into two and wife took half the store and I took half the store, that was 4 man hours for our 1st excursion.

Melissa took the health and beauty Aisle because she knows more about what to get on this section than I do. We only bought things that were on sale and were a good deal with coupons. If they were EveryDay prices or not on sale, we skipped those items.

Melissa got a Schick Fusion razor with a trimmer on it which retailed for $8, for free because the sale prices was $4 off and she had a $4 off coupon. She got a 6 toothbrushes for free. On my section, I got some quaker oatmeal for cheap. They had an in store sale for the variety pack 2 for $3.50. and I with coupons I paid under a $1 box. I also got Melissa some Progresso light soups for under $.50/ can (normally $1.50/can). I also got a bottle of Frank's Red Hot sauce for free, and some Sunkist tuna packages for $1 each and every 3rd one free (the free coupon at Kroger Discounted for $1.49 even though the sale price was $1). Got a whole slew of yogurts, including the immunity building ones for adults and kids yogurts for under $1 per 4 or 6pak. Even though I'm not into the South Beach diet, i Got some South beach granola bars, chocolate and peanut butter, for the same price as the Kroger brand ones. Got some more Pillsbury biscuits for about $0.60/can. Wife also got some toaster Strudel's for under $1/box with coupons.

So in all, we used probably 6 man hours in prep and shopping, $9 for 3 weeks of papers, and a bunch of research on the coupon mom website. We Spent $360.27 before Perks Cards, coupons, double coupons and what not. We saved $64.01 in mfg coupons, $12.04 in bonus coupons and $47.75 in in-store savings, for a grand total of $123.80. That's 35% of our bill. Not bad for our 1st time out and considering the time invested, it saved us about $20/hour. Well worth the time and I will keep refining the system. I'm thinking of making a database someone. Whatever I do, I will post again. I'm glad to be blogging again.

Tex

Petti Di Pollo All'Ebraica (The Complete Guide to Jewish Cooking p 227)

4 skinless chicken breast fillets
Flour for dusting
3T olive oil
2 chopped onions
1/4 Fennel Bulb
1T Parsley
1 1/2 t fennel seeds
5T Marsala
1/2 Cup Chicken Stock
11 oz Baby peas
1 1/2 juiced lemons
2 egg yolks
salt and pepper to taste

1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then dust generously with flour. Shake off the excess flour; set aside

2. Heat 1T oil in a pna, add onions, fennel, parsley and fennel seeds. Cook for 5 minutes.

3. Add the remaining oil and the chicken to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until lightly browned. Remove the chicken and onion mixture from the pan and set aside.

4. Deglaze the pan by pouring in the Marsala and cooking over high heat until reduced to about 2T, then pour in the stock. Add the peas.

5. Return the chicken and onion mixture to the pan. Cook over a very low heat while you prepare the egg mixture.

6. In a bowl, beat the lemon juice and the egg yolks together, then slowly add about 1/2 cup of the hot liquid from the chicken and peas, stirring well to continue.

6. Return the mixture to the pan and cook over a low heat, stirring, until the mixture thickens slightly ( Do not allow the mixture to boil or the eggs will curdle and spoil the sauce.) Serve the chicken immediately.

The Turkey That Doesn't Taste Like a Turkey

Does it bother anyone, just about every turkey I have ever seen has been 'enhanced' with a solution up to 8% of turkey broth, salt and spices? Does this mean without this solution, a turkey won't taste like a turkey? Why does a turkey need this solution? If you know let me know.

By the way, most chickens, whether whole or part have a solution up to 15% in the grocery stores as well.

Let Tyranny and Opression Rule

Well, we did it.  Two clear things were made apparent last night. First, we voted for History.  And second, we voted for stupidity. I'm not going to even bother commenting on the former because it'll be praised all over the media for weeks to come.  And besides, the BBC had been calling him President Obama for weeks now. And now we face the wrath of a Dem controlled House, Senate, Exec. and soon to be Judiciary.

Any form of sensibility is about to be thrown out the window.  From Day 1 of this administration, Communism and Oppression will rule.  No longer will we enjoy the freedoms of years past.  Our rights will be stripped and we'll be taxed unfairly for programs we don't need.  Yes, I am still very upset over this election because it was about race, not issues.  And now for the consequences of that election.  The next four years very well could be like Red Dawn, but without the Wolverines.

Easier my ass...

If the internet is supposed to make life quicker and faster, why can't I find a voter's guide and the propositions we'll be voting on this year?  It's almost like they want us to be misinformed about the issues this year.

I'm quitting

Yes, that's right I'm quitting world of warcraft.  After my wife has put up with my addiction for the last year and half, I've canceled my subscription and uninstalled the program from my computer.  I spend too much time playing that game and it's high time I get some of my daily time back.

Gaiaism and the Irate Christian (me)

So my daughter was sent home yesterday with a letter explaining a pledge the children say everyday in Kindergarten. I assumed it would be the Pledge of Allegiance, which I have no objections to. Instead, the pledge was entitled, 'Pledge to the Earth.' I think I know where this is headed. The letter is as follows:

"Dear Families,

It has come to my attention that some parents want to know more about the Pledge of the Earth we do in class every day. I am so plased to have such involved families this year. I will start by giving you the wrods we recite each day for the pledge.

'I promise to be good to the earth and to all life on this planet. To all growing things, all kinds of animals, and all races of people.
I promise to protect all life on this planet,
To live in harmony with nature and to share everything fairly,
So that all people can live with one another in good health and peace.'

I like this poem because I feel it is important for kindergarteners to understand that we should take care of and respect all living things around us. The children will also learn important concepts about print by helping to recite this every morning. If you have specific questions regarding anything we do in class, please feel free to contact me. Thank you so much for your communication and interest in your child's education.

Ms. Monroe
(940) 360-2800
*******@*********.org"

A surface glance at the poem and I'm sure no one would ever give it a second thought, giving it the ok for his or her child to recite this on a daily basis. Besides, respecting all things and living responsibly sounds like a noble cause, right? Surely no one would object to something as clearly stated as this. The problem is, I object to this.

So my 1st attempt to contact the teacher resulted in failure, the phone number listed has long since been disconnected, meaning this isn't the 1st year someone has expressed a concern in this poem. Researching "Pledge to the Earth" yielded some interesting results and some political agendas I do not agree with like the Earth Charter and the World Constitution and Parliament Association.

Showing up to her class to day to express my disdain for this poem, I tell the teach I do not want my daughter to participate in such an activity. She asks me why and I tell her I do not agree with the agendas behind the poem, namely the earth constitution and earth charter. She then begins to tell me there is nothing wrong with this poem. I let her say what she wants, but it is in one ear out the other. Walking out the door, i noticed a line omitted from the poem which simply said, "Namaste."

Why this word didn't show up on the letter to the parents confuses me. At first I thought it was the name of the person who wrote the poem, but after googling it, I was quite shocked and a bit peeved. It's hindu in origin and means, "I bow down to you." Having this a pledge to the planet certainly in my book implies Gaia worship, and whether or not the teacher sees it as harmless it certainly is religion being taught in schools. And if Christianity isn't going to be allowed to be taught to my daughter in a state forum, then I shall have little to no tolerance of any religion being taught in a state forum. I've sent the teacher a polite email asking why the omission in the letter to the parents and what the word means. What she says there will determine the next action I take.

Jim Brank
Denton, TX

I have returned to blogging. After months of disgust, a hard heart, worldly desires and just general contempt, God has pressed my heart to rediscover my 1st love. I have turned far from God over the last few months if not years and it's time to have the zeal I had when I first believed. I want the fire that burned in me and I pray it will never be extinguished.

I had originally decided to start a new blog, but I'm still the same person I was when I started blogging, but my thoughts towards God have still been focused on him. If scoffers and mockers want to come back and pierce my heart over and over again, pointing out all my character flaws, then so be it.

I haven't decided what I want to do with this blog in its entirety but the fact I am returning to write about God, Jesus, the cross and all the things being impressed on my heart, I figure it is a good start.

Hypocrisy is a Wonderful Thing:

The wonderful thing about having a blog and being open about it is all the wonderful scrutiny and criticisms that come about in your life. For example, my wife posted on her blog about how we do not celebrate halloween in our family and will not let her go to a pumpkin patch with her school, and that let open the floods gates from everything about how we are making her the odd kid to how hypocritical we are.

This got me thinking a little bit. Yes, we are hypocrites and because the comments make it painfully aware that we are it should point to only one thing. No matter where we are in our lives, no matter how long we've been down the road, or searching for the road, we all need the mercy and salvation of Jesus Christ. Even Christians falter from time to time and it takes a very special breed of people to point that out and for that I am grateful. The truth is, even the most "seasoned" Christian can succumb to worldly desires and ideals, and the open criticisms, though seemingly cruel in intent, help us to become a more godly family. Thank Mr/Mrs/Miss anonymous for bringing it to our attention that we need to be focused on Jesus and the wonderful gift of salvation by dying on the cross for our sins, because we still sin today and will most likely sin tomorrow. Now we have the power to change what we didn't see before so we may live more Godly lives. I can't thank you enough.